Knight to step down as boss of Woodford United

Adam Knight has announced that he will be stepping down as manager of Woodford United at the end of the current season.

The player-manager revealed the news on the United Counties League Facebook page (www.facebook.com/unitedcounties.league), with the announcement coming just days after his assistant Ben Foster left the club to play for division one rivals Bugbrooke.

Knight also confirmed that he has brought in former Long Buckby boss Dan Stewart as his assistant for the rest of the campaign.

“It is with regret that I will be stepping down at the end of season,” said Knight.

“It was a decision I have thought long and hard about, but I told Andy (Worrall, Woodford chairman) a month ago that I would not be continuing next season, but that I would continue until the end of the season.

“Ben, to be fair, if I was remaining in management wouldn’t have left but, as I told him he decided he wanted to go elsewhere to plan for next season.”

Knight was brought in at Byfield Road to try and resurrect the fortunes of a club that had fallen quickly from grace, from playing in Division One Central of the Southern League to being rock-bottom of the UCL Division One in the space of a couple of years.

“Woodford was always going to be a massive job and I’m pleased that we have stabilised the club on the pitch,” said Knight, who joined the club from Northants Combination side Brixworth All Saints.

“And while we’re certainly not a top side in the league, we’re not a laughing stock anymore.

“I have many great and loyal lads in the squad and it’s been a pleasure to lead them, but it’s the right decision.”

Knight cited the difficulty of managing the club while living in Market Harborough as another reason, and also the fact he was unable to commit enough time to the role.

“I can’t offer the commitment a club like Woodford needs,” admitted Knight.

“I work 60 hours a week, so finding the time to add to the squad, and do anything midweek is almost impossible and at this level if you’re going to do well you need to really throw yourself in to it, something I couldn’t do.

“Woodford can still kick on, and that’s why I’ve made it clear early of my plans to give them the chance to continue moving forward.

“Andy Worrall has always been great with me from player through to manager, and I’d like to thank him for the support this season.

“I now have a squad of committed lads, and I look forward to the last two months of the season.”